Plumb bob and straight-edge with interchangeable parts



June 10, 1969 M. s. MAJEWSKI PLUMB BOB AND STRAIGHT-EDGE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS Sheet of 3 Filed Aug. 3. 1967 INVENTOR Mieczgs/au Siam/Ida fiq ewski BY ATTURNEXS June 10, 1969 M. s. MAJEWSKI 3,448,525

PLUMB BQB AND STRAIGHT-EDGE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS Filed Aug. 5, 1967 Sheet 2 of s INVENT OR Mieczys/aw Siam/19b ficy'ewski BY 9211/4/9 M ATTQRNEYQ' v PLUMB BOB AND STRAIGHT-EDGE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS Sheet Filed Aug. 5, 1967 United States Patent 3 448,525 PLUMB BOB AND STRAIGHT-EDGE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS Mieczyslaw Stanislaw Majewski, W. Chomut, 102 E. 7th St., New York, NY. 10009 Filed Aug. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 658,182 Int. Cl. G01c 15/10 US. Cl. 33--216 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A plumb bob and straight-edge assembly having cylindrical sections with selectable conical tips of ditierent materials. The sections provide for assembling various lengths and weights. A hollow section has a stem and threaded plug engaging the surface of a contained liquid of selectable material and volume.

The invention is directed at a plumb bob assembly especially adapted for use by bricklayers and other artisans as a plumb bob and vertical level. In its greatest length the assembly is at least 12 inches long. It has a plurality of detachable and interchangeable cylindrical sections and at least two conical tips made of diflerent metals so that they have different weights. In all assemblies of one or more tips and one or more cylindrical sections, the assembly has the configuration of a right cylinder with conical bottom tip. This arrangement is particularly well adapted for use by bricklayers laying up vertical walls since the assembly can be used both as a plumb hob and as a vertical level. In a modified form of the invention, one of the cylindrical sections has a cylindrical chamber which can be filled with mercury or other massive liquid to any desired extent. A plug is adjustably inserted in the chamber to keep the liquid from splashing around.

The invention will be explained in further detail in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an oblique side elevational view of an assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1, shown in use against a brick wall.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are side elevational views of plumb bob assemblies made from parts of the assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a kit including a case and parts of the plumb bob assembly.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, showing another plumb bob and level assembly embodying the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an assembly made from parts of the assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of parts of the assembly of FIGS. 7 and 8.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a complete plumb bob and level assembly 10. This assembly includes a massive cylindrical section 12 at its lower end. Section 12 has a rounded lower free end 14. At its other and upper end, section 12 is formed with an internally threaded bore 16. This bore communicates with an unthreaded conical cavity 18. A conical bob 20 fits snugly but removably in cavity 18. Bob 20 has an axial threaded stem 22 at its upper and wider end. Stem 22 screws into internally threaded bore 23 in nipple 24 at the lower end of a second massive cylindrical section 25. The upper end of section 25 is formed with an internally threaded bore 26.

An externally threaded stud 28 at the lower end of massive cylindrical section 30 screws into bore 26. Sec- Patented June 10, 1969 tion 30 has a conical cavity 32 in which conical bob 34 fits snugly but removably. Section 30 has an internally threaded bore 36 at its upper end communicating with cavity 32. Bob 34 has a threaded axial stem 40 at its upper end. This stem screws into internally threaded bore 42 in nipple 44 at the lower end of massive cylindrical section 46. Nipple 44 is externally threaded and screws into bore 36.

At its upper end section 46 has an internally threaded bore 48 which receives externally threaded stud 49 at the lower end of cap 50. The cap is a cylindrical member with an externally knurled surface 52 to facilitate turning the cap with respect to section 46. In cap 50 is an axial threaded bore 53 which receives threaded stem 54 of an eye loop 57. Cord 58 is attached to eye 56. A knot or clip 60 secures the cord to the eye.

It will be noted that the sections 12, 25, 30, 46 and cap 50 are of dilferent lengths and therefore of different weights. The entire assembly 10 is a massive structure which has an external surface S which is truly cylindrical from upper end 61 to lower end 62 without any lateral protrusions or protuberances.

FIG. 2 shows how the assembly 10 can be used as a vertical level when suspended by cord 58 alongside of a vertical wall 65 which is under construction. The absence of any spaces between the wall and assembly sections indicates that the wall is truly plumb or vertical. The upper part of the assembly provides a guide for setting the next course or layer of bricks on top of the topmost layer 66. The assembly can also be used as a straight bar or edge in a horizontal position to check that all bricks are being laid in a straight horizontal line.

FIG. 3 shows assembly 10A which is section 10 but with section 12 removed. This exposes bob 20 and nipple 24 of section 25. The assembly can still be used as a vertical level and plumb bob, but it is slightly shorter in length and has less weight.

FIG. 4 shows another assembly 10B formed by cap 50, section 46 and conical bob 34. Instead of bob 34, the bob 20 can be substituted. The two bobs 20 and 34 are preferably made of different metals having dilferent densities and weights, such as lead or iron for bob 34 and brass, copper or aluminum for bob 20.

FIG. 5 shows a kit provided with a case 102 for convenience in carrying the several sections and parts of the assembly in disassembled condition. Semicylindrical cavities 104 in the base 103 are provided for the cylindrical sections 12, 25, 30, 46 and cap 50. Semiconical cavities 106 are provided for conical bobs 20 and 34. Hemispherical cavity 108 holds a ball of twine 109 from which a cord 58 of any desired length can be drawn. When hinged cover 110 of the case is closed the several parts are conveniently carried by means of handle 112.

FIG. 6 shows another assembly 10 which is generally similar to assembly 10 and corresponding parts are identically numbered. In assembly 10' section 46 is replaced by a hollow section 46' which has an extended internally threaded bore 48'. A liquid such as mercury or metal powder, sand or other finely divided material can be poured into here 48' to any desired level. A threaded plug screws into bore 48 and can bear down on the top of the fluid body 122. Attached to plug 120 is a stem 124. This pin is externally threaded and extends through unthreaded bore 53' in cap 50'. A lock nut with threaded hole 127 screws on stem 124. Stem 124 has a hole or eye 126 at its upper end to which core 58 can be attached. Assembly 10 can be used in the same manner as assembly 10 as a plumb bob and vertical level and as a horizontal straight edge.

FIGS. 7-9 show parts of assembly 10A made from assembly 10' by removing sections 12, 25 and 30 using conical bob 34 connected to section 46'. Section 46' is shown partially filled with as sand 122'. The plug 120 presses down on the body of sand and keeps it tightly packed and level. By the arrang'ement described a plumb bob of any desired weight c'an'be had for a given length. Furthermore, by adding one'or more of the other sections with or without bob 20 a longer and heavier plumb bob and level can be had. The plumb bobs and levels described will be found of particular utility in bricklaying work but of course they are applicable to other types of construction, engineering and architectural work. The several sections can be made of different types of metal with identifying numbers and weights indicated thereon.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

"1. A-plumb bob and level assembly, comprising a plurality of massive right cylindrical sections disengageably attached together end to end to define a massive cylindrical structure, a first one of said sections having a conical cavity therein, and a conical bob removably inserted in said cavity, said bob having an extension at its wider end detachably engaged with a second one of said sections adjacent to said first section, whereby said bob is exposed when said first section is removed, a cylindrical a finely divided material such" cap detachablye'ngaged 'at one end with said second sec tion, said cap having an axial bore; and a stem extending through said bore in the cap for attachment of a cord thereto to suspend said cylindrical structure in an axially vertical position, said second section having a cylindrical cavity therein for receiving fluid to a desired level, and a plug in said cylindrical cavity adjustably positionable therein for bearing down on said fluid, said cylindrical cavity having an internally threaded wall, said stern being secured at its lower end to said plug for turning the plug in said cylindrical cavity, said plug being externally threaded and rotatably engaged with the internally threaded wall of the cylindrical cavity.

2. A plumb bob and level assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising a threaded lock nut engaged on said stem and bearing on said cap to lock the stem and plug against rotation in said second cylindrical section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 880,387 2/1908 Morrill 33217 833,699 10/1906 Starrett 33217 1,110,897 9/1914 Comstock 33216 1,704,237 3/1929 Arms 33216 ROBERT B. HULL, Primary Examiner.

D. A. DEARING, Assistant Examiner. 

